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Wendell Pritchett: Penn’s 30th Provost

caption:Wendell Pritchett

Wendell Pritchett has been selected to be the 30th Provost of the University of Pennsylvania. Penn President Amy Gutmann announced his appointment last Wednesday. Currently Presidential Professor of Law and Education at Penn Law, Dr. Pritchett “is a celebrated teacher and scholar of urban policy, education, civil rights and race relations, an accomplished leader and administrator, and a passionate advocate for academic excellence and civic engagement,” said President Gutmann. “A longtime faculty member and universally admired leader in our Penn community, he is consummately well-positioned to work with our deans, faculty, staff, students and me in advancing Penn’s highest priorities,” she added. He will formally assume his office on July 1, 2017 after ratification by the Trustees at their June meeting.

Dr. Pritchett’s leadership experiences uniquely position him to serve as Penn’s chief academic officer. As interim dean of Penn Law from 2014-2015 (Almanac April 15, 2014), he led and stewarded the school during the search that culminated in Ted Ruger’s appointment as dean. As chancellor of Rutgers-Camden from 2009-2014 (Almanac April 7, 2009), he saved the campus in the wake of a failed proposal to merge it with another institution. Dr. Pritchett’s leadership of Rutgers-Camden saw immense growth and improvement for the institution, including graduating classes of record sizes, the introduction of the campus’s first doctoral programs, the hiring of dozens of new faculty and the initiation of critical capital projects, including new health education and science facilities, a new dormitory, and library renovations. In 2012, he was elected president of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities, a national consortium of higher education institutions.

Dr. Pritchett is a consummately interdisciplinary and award-winning attorney, legal scholar and urban historian whose research examines the development of post-WWII urban policy, in particular urban renewal, housing finance and housing discrimination. His first book, Brownsville, Brooklyn: Blacks, Jews and the Changing Face of the Ghetto (University of Chicago Press, 2002), explores race relations and public policy in 20th-century Brooklyn. His most recent book, Robert Clifton Weaver and the American City: The Life and Times of an Urban Reformer (University of Chicago Press, 2008), is a biography of the firstAfrican-American cabinet secretary, a leading thinker and practitioner of 20th-century urban development. His 2008 article, “Which Urban Crisis? Regionalism, Race and Urban Policy, 1960-1974,” won the Urban History Association Best Article Award. A member of the Pennsylvania Bar since 1991, his practice focused on real estate and housing law, including the representation of nonprofit organizations involved in the development of affordable housing.

Dr. Pritchett earned his PhD in history from Penn in 1997 under the mentorship of Walter Licht, the Walter H. Annenberg Professor of History in SAS, with whom Dr. Pritchett maintains a close relationship today in the finest traditions of graduate education at Penn. Dr. Pritchett earned his JD from Yale Law School in 1991 and BA in political science from Brown University in 1986. After completing his doctorate, Dr. Pritchett joined the faculty at Baruch College-City University of New York, where he taught courses in post-bellum American history, American legal history, nonprofit law, and the history of immigration to the United States. He joined the Penn Law faculty in 2002 as assistant professor of law, was promoted to full professor in 2006, and served as Penn Law’s associate dean for academic affairs in 2006-2007. He rejoined Penn in 2014 as Presidential Professor of Law and Education upon completing his chancellorship of Rutgers-Camden.

A strong believer in the value of public service and the importance of knowledge-based public policy, he also served in 2008 as deputy chief of staff and director of policy for then-Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, W’79, where he helped oversee the preparation of the City’s Five-Year Plan and budget and managed the operations of the Mayor’s Office. As Mayor Nutter’s appointee, Dr. Pritchett was vice chair (2008-2010) and chair (2010-2011) of the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia and also served as the Mayor’s appointee to the School Reform Commission from 2011-2014. He chaired the board of Community Legal Services of Philadelphia from 2005-2008 and was co-chair of the World Class Great Philadelphia Initiative of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia. Dr. Pritchett’s other community and public policy contributions—too numerous to fully recount—have included service as a member, trustee, or director of the Pennsylvania State Planning Board (as the appointee of then-Governor Ed Rendell, C’65, Hon’00), the Public Health Management Corporation, the Campaign for Black Male Achievement, the Library Company of Philadelphia, Cooper University Hospital, Cooper’s Ferry Partnership, Campus Compact and College Unbound.

President Gutmann’s selection of Dr. Pritchett as Penn’s next Provost concludes a four and a half month international search in which the Consultative Committee, chaired by Penn Medicine EVP/Dean J. Larry Jameson, conducted dozens of informational interviews with individuals and groups in the Penn community to understand the scope, expectations and challenges of the Provost position, as well as many informal contacts. The Committee considered approximately 60 candidates, potential candidates and consultants. From these, the Committee selected 12 individuals for interviews from whom six individuals were recommended to President Gutmann as finalists for the position.

On behalf of the University, President Gutmann also expressed thanks and appreciation to Vincent Price for his exemplary ongoing service as Provost since 2009. “Vince has brought extraordinary leadership and vision—as well as grace and good humor—to our academic enterprise. Vince helped recruit exceptional deans and faculty members while advancing initiatives to diversify the faculty, develop new forms of teaching and learning, expand Penn’s global engagement (including our new Penn Wharton China Center and Perry World House), and enhance arts and culture on campus. He has also been a major force in facilitating interdisciplinary research and teaching, developing Penn’s online learning initiatives, and providing intellectual forums for our community to come together to address some of the most challenging issues of our time. We are all very proud of Vince and know that he will do an absolutely fantastic job as he assumes the presidency of Duke University on July 1 (Almanac December 6, 2016)—carrying with him all his incredible Penn experiences and accomplishments.”

“I have every confidence that Wendell will be an exceptional partner and inspiring presence for me and the entire Penn community. His deep experience, impeccable judgment, inclusive manner and warm style will help us further increase Penn’s eminence and momentum. Wendell has been a standout and a star in every role he has inhabited—teacher, scholar, senior academic administrator, policymaker, and political advisor among them—and he will surely shine as our University’s Provost, helping to propel forward our shared and ambitious vision for Penn,” Dr. Gutmann concluded.

Patricia D’ Antonio: Carol Ware Professor in Mental Health Nursing

caption:Patricia D'Antonio

Patricia D’Antonio has been named the Carol E. Ware Professor in Mental Health Nursing. In addition to being the chair of the family and community health department and director of the Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing, Dr. D’Antonio is a world-renowned historian whose program of scholarship is in the area of nursing history, with a focus on nursing’s labor, gender and religious history. Her work has also centered on elucidating the ways in which changing ideas about mental health and illness structured the work and worth of those who cared for such individuals and their families. She has received funding from the Rockefeller Foundation, the American Association for the History of Nursing, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. In addition to extensive publications, she has authored seven books. She has taught across all levels of the curriculum and is known for being a dedicated teacher and mentor. Her professional affiliations include roles as editor of Nursing History Review, member of the National Library of Medicine Scholarly Books in Biomedicine and Health Study Section, the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) Expert Panel on Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing’s Task Force on Psychiatric Mental Health Behavioral Health Competencies, and the AAN Expert Panel on History and Policy.

Launching Penn’s Center for Health, Devices and Technology

Today, the University of Pennsylvania celebrates the launch of the Penn Center for Health, Devices and Technology, or Penn Health-Tech, a University-wide effort to advance Penn’s world-class breakthroughs into new devices and health technologies to meet the world’s most pressing health care needs. To mark the opening of the Center, the University will host the first in a series of regular symposia.  

Penn Health-Tech was established by the Perelman School of Medicine, the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Office of the Vice Provost of Research. It is sponsored in part by a generous gift from Penn alumnus Jonathan Brassington, GEng’97, whose passion to encourage interdisciplinary investigative projects sparked its creation. Serving the local rich ecosystem of institutes and centers, Penn Health-Tech will expand Penn’s biomedical technology pipeline. Its mission is to focus on the intersection of physical devices and information systems that translate to innovative health care technologies.  It will serve as an important link to regional partners such as the health systems at Penn and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

“Pioneering research at Penn Medicine and Penn Engineering places Penn at the forefront of the biomedical revolution,” said Penn’s Vice Provost for Research Dawn Bonnell. “The new Penn Center for Health, Devices and Technology is designed to extend Penn’s leadership by providing resources to investigators with a focus on biomedical devices.”

“Penn scientists and physicians are defining the future of medicine in the development of new diagnostics and therapies,” said J. Larry Jameson, executive vice president of the University for the Health System and dean of the Perelman School of Medicine. “Establishment of the Penn Center for Health, Devices and Technology will accelerate our efforts in the biomedical device domain.”

Vijay Kumar, Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, said, “The Center is an exciting opportunity for Penn Engineering to partner with Penn Medicine to develop novel biomedical devices. Penn’s leadership in cyber-physical systems, nanotechnology and other areas offers untapped potential for innovation at the forefront of this field.”

The Penn Center for Health, Devices and Technology will be co-directed by Brian Litt, professor of neurology, neurosurgery and bioengineering in the Perelman School of Medicine, and Insup Lee, the Cecilia Fitler Moore Professor in Penn Engineering’s Department of Computer and Information Science. The Center will also be supported by Mark Turco, Penn Center for Innovation’s chief innovation and corporate outreach officer.

As part of the launch event, the new Penn Center will announce a competition offering $300,000 in seed funds to be awarded at a second symposium to be held in the fall.

The inaugural Penn Health-Tech symposium will take place from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. today,  May 2, in the Arthur H. Rubenstein Auditorium in the Smilow Center for Translational Research.

A national launch is planned for the fall.

More info about today’s symposium and Penn Health-Tech is available at healthtech.upenn.edu

School of Engineering and Applied Science 2017 Teaching Awards

The S. Reid Warren, Jr. Award

caption:Daeyeon Lee

Daeyeon Lee, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, has been awarded the S. Reid Warren, Jr. Award, which is presented annually by the undergraduate student body and the Engineering Alumni Society in recognition of outstanding service in stimulating and guiding the intellectual and professional development of undergraduate students.

Dr. Lee received his BS in chemical engineering in 2001 from Seoul National University. He then went on to earn a PhD in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“Dr. Lee has been incredibly helpful to me throughout my career, both academically and professionally,” one of his students remarked. “He is one of the most personable and skilled professors that I’ve had at Penn.”

Ford Motor Company Award for Faculty Advising

caption:David Pope

David Pope, professor of materials science and engineering, has been awarded the Ford Motor Company Award for Faculty Advising. The award recognizes dedication to helping students realize their educational, career and personal goals.

Dr. Pope received his BS in applied science from the University of Pennsylvania in 1961. He then went on to earn MS and PhD degrees in materials science from the California Institute of Technology in 1962 and 1967, respectively.

“Dr. Pope is a professor who understands the value of guidance and provides it in a way that cultivates our learning,” one of his students noted. “Through his influence, we’re often inspired to discover the answers to our own questions.”

Hatfield Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Lecturer and Practice Professor Track

caption:Mahadevan Khantha

Mahadevan Khantha, senior lecturer in materials science and engineering, has been awarded the Hatfield Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Lecturer and Practice Professor Track. The award recognizes outstanding teaching ability, dedication to innovative undergraduate instruction, and exemplary service to the School by consistently inspiring students in the engineering and scientific profession.

Dr. Khantha earned BS and MS degrees in physics in 1979 and 1981 from the University of Madras in India. She then went on to earn a PhD in physics in 1985 from the Indian Institute of Technology.

“One of the best things about Dr. Khantha is that she is always accessible to answer questions and willing to re-explain a concept in different methods,” one of her students wrote. “She’s truly dedicated to ensuring that students are understanding the material being taught.”

School of Nursing 2017 Teaching Awards

Dean’s Award for Exemplary Teaching

caption:Anne Teitelman

Anne M. Teitelman is the Patricia Bleznak Silverstein and Howard A. Silverstein Endowed Term Chair in Global Women’s Health and an associate professor of nursing. Dr. Teitelman was nominated by her doctoral students and selected for her commitment to teaching, advising and mentoring which enables her students to fully develop as nurse scholars. In addition to being able to skillfully convey her expert scholarly content knowledge, Dr. Teitelman communicates complex concepts and abstract topics in ways that meet the individual needs of each student. By doing so, she is able to prepare and drive her students towards their highest levels of intellectual growth and rigorous scientific research scholarship. She is fully present and available to her students and serves as an advocate for them in building their leadership and networking skills. One of her students commented, “Dr. Teitelman excels in stimulating students and actively engaging them in interactive, hands-on projects where they are able to learn from her mastery of rigorous community-based intervention work.” Another stated, “Dr. Teitelman provides the perfect balance of guidance, trustworthy support, feedback and knowledge for each of her students – an invaluable and rare skill … she is an incredible role model and inspiration. We have been fortunate to work with and learn from her.”

Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence

caption:Kathleen Brown

Kathleen M. Brown, practice associate professor in the family and community health department has been with the School of Nursing since 1993, teaching students across curricular levels and across disciplines. She was nominated by faculty, students and alumni for her dedication, passion and innovative teaching style, that expands the professional growth of her students and teaching colleagues. With a focus on forensic mental health, forensic science and victimology, she led a series of interdisciplinary courses that were known across the University and within the Philadelphia Prison System that left an indelible impact on students, faculty, and on the incarcerated and newly released from prison with whom she worked. One of her students noted, “Dr. Brown brought two groups together, students and inmates, to teach and learn from each other. The course pushed us to learn new things and go outside our comfort zones…while skillfully guiding our learning experience. I have never taken a course like that before and am so grateful to have had the opportunity and the mentorship.” A faculty colleague wrote, “Reflecting upon…those ‘peak educational experiences’ that we hope to experience…and to inspire…I experienced a few of those moments as a result of Kathy’s wisdom and encouragement, and am deeply grateful to have been a teacher, and a learner, with her.”

Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence

caption:Patricia Griffith

Patricia Griffith is an advanced senior lecturer in the biobehavioral health sciences department teaching in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program (AGACNP), which is consistently ranked among the top tier master’s programs nationally. She was nominated by the 2017 class of AGACNP students for being an extraordinarily and highly supportive teacher. An exceptional clinician, Ms. Griffith combines her extensive knowledge and experience with an understanding of the unique needs of each student. She has a deep understanding of the content which enables her to translate complex concepts in a clear and concise way reducing any pressure the students may feel in dealing with content for the first time. Her students also appreciate her compassion and understanding as they seek balance between their professional and personal lives. Her students noted that “…Patti has instilled a confidence in me that makes me feel that I can put my family first and still bring my ‘Penn game’ to wherever I work…” and that “Patti Griffith is more than just a teacher to us—she is a role model, motivator, trusted adviser, and friend.” She is also widely respected by faculty and clinician colleagues for her innovative and interdisciplinary style which includes the development of an interprofessional clinical immersion model for medical and nursing students.

Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Scholarly Mentorship

caption:Eileen Lake

Eileen T. Lake is the Jessie M. Scott Endowed Term Chair in Nursing and Health Policy and an associate professor of nursing in the biobehavioral health sciences department. She was nominated by students for exceptional mentoring as demonstrated by her ability to adeptly guide her students through the many complex stages associated with creating and implementing a program of research for the first time. She is able to simultaneously challenge and nurture students igniting their long-term interest in nursing research and in pursuing doctoral education. She encourages and assists students in developing projects that integrate their own questions and ideas. As a result of her mentorship, her undergraduate student mentees have obtained small grants, presented their projects at interdisciplinary meetings and sought publication for their projects. Dr. Lake also seeks out opportunities for students to build a network of researchers which is vital to successful scholarship. One of her students stated, “Dr. Lake is a brilliant researcher, professor, and mentor who is invested in the next generation of research scholars. She cares deeply about her students and expresses it by inspiring them to reach ever greater heights in their professional roles.”

Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Advising

caption:Connie Scanga

Connie B. Scanga is a practice professor of nursing in the biobehavioral health sciences department. She teaches anatomy, physiology, and physical assessment to nearly every traditional BSN student in the School of Nursing. Among students, faculty and staff, she is considered an exemplar in undergraduate advising both inside and outside the classroom. Fully understanding the stress associated with the demands of the nursing program, she educates her advisees on a variety of coping mechanisms and provides them opportunities to hear from experts across the University to further insure their success. She truly cares about her students and makes herself available to them at all times. Having played a role in the development of the undergraduate curriculum, she is considered an expert in its nuances but will also go out of her way to find answers for students to questions she may not know. A student noted, “Dr. Scanga sets the bar high both in academic learning and in personal development…she has believed in me when I did not believe in myself.” A staff member stated, “Dr. Scanga is a role model in the advisor role. She listens and observes, is accessible and assists students as they transition from high school to college to the professional arena and even then, students stay in touch with her long after graduation.”

Dean’s Award for Exemplary Professional Practice

caption:Kimberly Trout

Kimberly K. Trout, assistant professor of women’s health is a member of the family and community health department in the School of Nursing and a certified nurse midwife at Pennsylvania Hospital. Since receiving her MSN from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing in 1987, Dr. Trout has practiced as a nurse midwife in a variety of urban, suburban and remote rural area practices including service as midwifery director at J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. While in this role, she initiated several quality and safety initiatives that dramatically reduced infant mortality rates at the hospital which had previously been some of the highest in the Commonwealth. In her current role at Pennsylvania Hospital, where she conducts research, practices and teaches nurse-midwifery students and new resident physicians, she is renowned for her expertise in physiologic labor and birth. Since joining the faculty at the School of Nursing, she has been highly successful in building links between the School and both Pennsylvania Hospital and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania further enhancing interdisciplinary health care in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Trout was recently appointed as a University representative to the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization working group to decrease maternal mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Dean’s Award for Exemplary Citizenship

caption:Lisa Lewis

Lisa M. Lewis is the assistant dean for diversity and inclusivity and an associate professor of nursing in the family and community health department. She has demonstrated a long-term commitment to equity, access and quality care through her teaching and research in the field of health disparities. This has been demonstrated by her leadership of a team of faculty in the development of a new undergraduate course which teaches how to provide equitable and sensitive care to diverse individuals across the lifespan. Her research, with a focus on faith-based interventions for hypertensive black adults, has developed strong community partnerships and led to her participation on a White House Forum on Women and the Economy and a panel on The State of Black Women’s Health, for the US Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Lewis was nominated by faculty and staff for her extraordinary leadership and management of the concerns and anxiety generated across the School as a result of the 2016 Presidential election. Her calm and compassionate style brought the School of Nursing community together in a number of forums providing them ample opportunity to express their apprehension and to quiet their fears. One of her nominators commented, “…we were comforted …when we came together as a school and reconfirmed Penn Nursing’s commitment to social justice as a core value of our mission...”

Student Nurses at Penn Undergraduate Award for Teaching

Lisa M. Lewis, who also won the Dean’s Award for Exemplary Citizenship, is the assistant dean for diversity and inclusivity, associate professor of nursing in the family and community health department, and faculty director at Gregory College House. In all her roles, Dr. Lewis is renowned for being a remarkable teacher and mentor to students. She challenges her students to reach their highest potential, creating a safe and supportive learning environment that promotes trust and critical thinking. Both as an educator and as a mentor at Gregory College House, she operates within a framework of mutual civility and social justice inspiring the same in her students. A student nominator remarked, “When I imagine the kind of nurse and educator I want to be, Dr. Lewis immediately comes to mind. Her poise, passion and dedication to her work is truly admirable. She values the importance of mutual respect and goes out of her way to ensure that her students always feel comfortable. I can honestly say that I am a better person and am more prepared for my future nursing career for having known her.”

Graduate Student Organization Graduate Nurse Educator Award

caption:Kerry Shields

Kerry Shields is a lecturer in the family and community health department, at the School of Nursing as well as a pediatric critical care nurse practitioner at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She serves as an associate program director in the Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program (PACNP) where her focus is in critical care. Ms. Shields is considered by her students to be a holistic educator who freely shares her expertise and wealth of clinical knowledge. She challenges her students but provides just the right amount of support as she prepares them for clinical practice on the youngest and sickest of patients. She imparts her own insight and wisdom as she explains complex health care ethics philosophies helping them to identify their own moral framework to enhance their clinical decision-making skills. In addition to preparing her students academically, she also educates them on how best to care for themselves in the stressful pediatric acute care environment. As one of her students noted, “Kerry Shields truly embodies the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing motto: ‘Care to change the world.’ Kerry indeed cares to change the world and the future of nursing through the individual students that she nurtures.”

Barbara J. Lowery Doctoral Student Organization Faculty Award

caption:Jianghong Liu

Jianghong Liu is associate professor of nursing in the family and community health department, and associate professor of public health in the Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Liu’s students nominated Dr. Liu for her dedicated mentoring and unwavering support as they pursue their PhD in nursing. She involves them in her NIH-funded studies and encourages their questions and critical thinking in developing their own program of research. She walks them through the process of preparing and revising manuscripts and  reviewing journal articles, and provides them opportunities to sharpen their teaching skills. She is known for her ability to motivate and encourage her students to develop research skills, critical thinking, and creative approaches to solving problems. Dr. Liu’s students say that as a role model, “…she is an excellent, hardworking and productive nursing researcher who gives us the emotional and academic support we need to succeed.” Dr. Liu’s excellence as a mentor is demonstrated by this success which includes one student being awarded a research grant and a second place designation for a conference poster and four students publishing as first author. Her students stressed their gratitude for the personal interest Dr. Liu takes in them and the time she devotes to their progress in all doctoral endeavors. 

Penn Joins American Talent Initiative in National Effort to Expand Access for High-Achieving, Lower-Income Students

The University of Pennsylvania has joined the American Talent Initiative in a national effort to attract, enroll and graduate more high-achieving, lower-income students at America’s top-performing undergraduate institutions with the highest graduation rates.

The American Talent Initiative (ATI) brings together public and private institutions united in this common goal to attract, enroll and graduate 50,000 additional lower-income students by 2025.

Having been a first-generation, low-income college student herself, Penn President Amy Gutmann has more than doubled the number of students from low-income, middle-income and first-generation college families attending Penn, since she became president in 2004.

“I know firsthand, the tremendous impact increased access to higher education can have,” said President Gutmann. “Penn is steadfast in its commitment to providing access to talented high-achieving, low-income students and supporting them to graduate at higher rates. There is no better opportunity for economic growth for low-income families and no better pathway to cultivating creative understanding and ensuring a diverse democratic citizenship.”

ATI aims to welcome more of the 270 institutions with graduation rates of 70 percent or higher over the next few years in this effort. The member insitutions of ATI are enhancing their own efforts to recruit and support lower-income students, learn from each other and contribute to research that will help other colleges and universities expand opportunity and diversity.

The coalition of colleges and universities participating in the American Talent Initiative will further the national goal of developing more talent from every American neighborhood by:

• Recruiting students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds through robust outreach;

• Ensuring that admitted lower-income students enroll and are retained through practices that have been shown to be effective;

• Prioritizing need-based financial aid; and

• Minimizing or eliminating gaps in progression and graduation rates between and among students from low-, moderate- and high-income families.

The initiative is co-managed by the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program and Ithaka S+R and funded with an initial $1.7 million, multi-year grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Grant funding will be used for best-practice research and dissemination, convenings of college presidents and staff, and data analysis and reporting.

“If we’re serious about promoting social mobility in America, we need to ensure that every qualified high school student in the US has an opportunity to attend college. I’m so glad that so many great colleges and universities have stepped up today and committed themselves towards that goal. This is a vital first step towards creating a more meritocratic society,” said Michael R. Bloomberg,  founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term mayor of New York City.

Members will share lessons learned as well as institutional data. The Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program and Ithaka S+R will study the practices that lead to measureable progress and disseminate knowledge to the field through regular publications.

Catharine Bond Hill, Ithaka S+R managing director and former Vassar president, said that “this Initiative speaks to fairness and equal opportunity for thousands of students who currently can’t claim either, and to the enormous societal benefit that comes from nurturing all of our most talented young people. Recent research suggests that at least 12,500 high school seniors per year have SAT scores in the top 10 percent with 3.7 grade point averages or higher—and still do not attend the top 270 colleges. If each of these institutions commits to do its share, an additional 50,000 talented students—12,500 in each grade level—will benefit from the incredible opportunity these colleges and universities offer and that these students have earned.”

caption:Penn President Amy Gutmann (second row, third from right) joins a consortium of peer university and college presidents representing institutions that are American Talent Initiative members.

Deaths

Harry Huskey, ENIAC Programmer

Harry Huskey, a programmer in the 1940s for the first all-purpose digital computer, ENIAC, died April 9. He was 101.

Dr. Huskey earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics from the University of Idaho in 1937 and both a master’s and a doctorate in mathematics from Ohio State University in 1943. He then joined Penn, where he taught mathematics. After applying for work at Penn’s Moore School of Engineering, he was accepted and joined the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) project in 1945.

Dr. Huskey left the project in 1946 once the computer was working, and accepted an appointment at the British National Physical Laboratory. He later designed the Bendix G15, dubbed “the first personal computer,” in the 1950s. He taught at the University of California from 1954 until his retirement in 1986.

He was among those awarded medals by Penn in 1986 in recognition of their work on the ENIAC project (Almanac October 14, 1986). He also received the 1984 Centennial Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the 1982 Computer Pioneer Award from the IEEE Computer Society and was named a fellow of the Computer History Museum in 2013.

Dr. Huskey’s wife of 52 years, Velma, died in 1991. His second wife, Nancy (Whitney) died in 2015. He is survived by his children, Carolyn (Joe) Dickinson, Roxanne Dwyer, Doug (Anna) and Linda (Jerome) Retterath.

To Report A Death

Almanac appreciates being informed of the deaths of current and former faculty and staff members, students and other members of the University community. Call (215) 898-5274 or email almanac@upenn.edu.

However, notices of alumni deaths should be directed to the Alumni Records Office at Room 517, Franklin Building, (215) 898-8136 or email record@ben.dev.upenn.edu.

Robert Sadoff, Psychiatry

caption:Robert Sadoff

Robert Sadoff, a founder of modern forensic psychiatry and retired clinical professor at the University of Pennsylvania, died on April 17 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 81 years old.

Dr. Sadoff grew up in Minnesota and entered the University of Minnesota at age 16. He graduated in 1955 with two bachelor’s degrees and earned a medical degree there in 1959. He completed a residency in psychiatry and earned a master of science in psychiatry at UCLA.

He joined Penn in 1972 as assistant professor of psychiatry and became full professor in 1978. He received the Earl D. Bond Award for Outstanding Teaching in 1979. He joined the 25 Year Club in 1997 (Almanac September 30, 1997). In 2008, he received the Special Dean’s Award, which honors unique contributions to medical education by Penn faculty members (Almanac April 22, 2008). He retired as clinical professor and director of the Center for Studies in Social-Legal Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine last year. The Perelman School of Medicine had recently named Kenneth J. Weiss as its inaugural Robert L. Sadoff Clinical Professor in Forensic Psychiatry.

Dr. Sadoff also maintained a private practice in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and examined a number of high-profile defendants.

Dr. Sadoff was one of the original eight members of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL), and was its first membership director. He served as its president from 1971-1973.

He won several national awards in forensic psychiatry, including the Isaac Ray Award in 2006. He was author, co-author or editor of 12 books, most recently The Evolution of Forensic Psychiatry: History, Current Developments, Future Directions.

Dr. Sadoff donated approximately 4,000 volumes to the Library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. In 2004, the college dedicated a new library, the Robert L. Sadoff Library of Forensic Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, and named Dr. Sadoff chair of its advisory board.

He was president and board chair of the American Friends of Magen David Adom, which supports the Israeli Red Cross.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; son, David; daughters, Debra, Julie and Sherry Hanck; and 10 grandchildren.

Governance

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda

The following agenda is published in accordance with the Faculty Senate Rules. Any member of the standing faculty may attend SEC meetings and observe. Questions may be directed to Patrick Walsh, executive assistant to the Senate Office, either by telephone at (215) 898-6943 or by email at senate@pobox.upenn.edu

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

3-5 p.m.

Glandt Forum, 3rd Floor, Singh Nanotechnology Center

1.               Approval of the Minutes from the SEC Meeting of April 12, 2017

2.               Chair’s Report

3.               Past-Chair’s Report on Academic Planning & Budget, Capital Council, and

                  Campaign for Community

4.               Information Security Initiatives
                  Discussion with Joshua Beeman, Penn Information Security Officer

5.               Issues Requiring a Vote

                  a. Ballot:  2017-2018 University Council Steering Committee Members

                  b. Discussion and vote on Proposal to Eliminate Principal Lecturer Track and to

                      Extend the Professor of Practice Track in SEAS

6. Senate Committee Reports

                  a. Senate Committee on Faculty and the Academic Mission (SCOF)

                  b. Senate Committee on Faculty Development, Diversity, and Equity (SCFDDE)

                  c. Senate Committee on Faculty and the Administration (SCOA)

                  d. Senate Committee on Students and Educational Policy (SCSEP)

7. Discussion and recommendations for SEC’s agenda for 2017-2018

8. Passing of the Torch and Concluding Remarks

Commencement Invitation to Penn Community

To the Penn Community:

Penn’s Commencement is a wonderful opportunity to gather together in recognition of the impressive accomplishments of our students.  On behalf of the Trustees, Officers and Deans and their faculties, we would like to invite all members of the Penn community to attend the University’s 261st Commencement on Monday, May 15, 2017.

The Academic Procession steps forth from the Annenberg Center at 9 a.m., then pauses for approximately 45 minutes in front of College Hall to applaud the graduating students as they pass through our ranks.  The procession then proceeds to Franklin Field, where the ceremony begins at 10:15 a.m. 

If you would like to attend, please seek advance approval from your supervisor to ensure that the business needs of your department will continue to be met.  Whether you wish to join the festivities around Locust Walk and College Green or come to the ceremony itself (tickets are not necessary), we very much hope that you will join us in this University-wide celebration of the academic year.

—Amy Gutmann, President

—Vincent Price, Provost

—Leslie Laird Kruhly, Vice President and University Secretary

University Club’s Annual Meeting: May 10

Members of the University Club at Penn are invited to attend the Club’s annual meeting on Wednesday, May 10. The meeting will be held in the Club’s Hourglass Room beginning at 12:30 p.m. At the meeting, the University Club’s Board of Governors will present membership with the Club’s state of affairs and the slate of nominees for election to the Board.

For more information, including information on becoming a University Club member, click here.

—Michael McGarvey,

President,

University Club

Board of Governors

Trustees’ Meetings: May 11

A meeting of the Trustees’ Budget & Finance Committee and the Executive Committee/Stated Meeting of the Trustees will be held on Thursday,  May 11.  All meetings will take place on Penn’s campus in the Conference Center, fourth floor, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine (PCAM). 

The following meetings are open to the public.

 

The meeting schedule is below:

9:30–11 a.m.

Budget & Finance Committee

 

1:20–1:30 p.m.

Meeting of the Executive Committee

Please contact the Office of the University Secretary at (215) 898-7005 to indicate your attendance plans.

Features

University of Pennsylvania Commencement Events 2017

Ben Franklin wearing graduation cap.

Baccalaureate Ceremony

Sunday, May 14
Irvine Auditorium

1:30-2:30 p.m.—Ceremony for students whose last names begin with A-K

3-4 p.m.—Ceremony for students whose last names begin with L-Z

Speaker: Angela Duckworth, Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Penn; founder and scientific director of the Character Lab and MacArthur “Genius” Fellow

Commencement

Monday, May 15
Franklin Field, 9 a.m.

Speaker: Cory A. Booker, United States Senator for New Jersey; advocate for criminal
justice reform and community empowerment

Honorary Degree Recipients

Isabel Allende, writer, journalist, and women’s rights activist; Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
    Doctor of Humane Letters

Cory A. Booker, United States Senator for New Jersey; advocate for criminal justice reform and community empowerment
    Doctor of Laws

Clara Franzini-Armstrong, emerita professor of cell and developmental biology, Perelman School of Medicine, Penn
    Doctor of Sciences

Terry Gross, host and co-executive producer, Fresh Air, NPR; National Humanities Medal recipient
    Doctor of Humane Letters

Ada Sue Hinshaw, inaugural director, National Institute of Nursing Research, NIH; groundbreaking researcher in the science of nursing
    Doctor of Sciences

Robert Parris Moses, founder and president, The Algebra Project; educator and civil rights champion
    Doctor of Humane Letters

Paul Muldoon, poet, Howard G.B. Clark ’21 University Professor in the Humanities,
Princeton University, and poetry editor, The New Yorker
    Doctor of Humane Letters

 

School Ceremonies and Speakers

Annenberg School for Communication
Bachelor of Arts Ceremony: Sunday, May 14, 10 a.m., Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center
Reception: Agora, Annenberg Public Policy Center, following the ceremony
Speaker: Seth Grossman, C’ 01, chief of staff to University of California President Janet Napolitano; formerly with US Department of Homeland Security
PhD Ceremony: Monday, May 15, 1:30 p.m., Room 110, Annenberg School
Reception: Agora, Annenberg Public Policy Center, noon-1:30 p.m.

School of Arts & Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences:
Ceremony: Sunday, May 14, 6:30 p.m., Franklin Field
Class of 2017 Speaker: Ivan Sandoval, C’17
Speaker: Jennifer Egan, C’85, author
Graduate Division, School of Arts & Sciences:
Ceremony: Monday, May 15, 1 p.m., Harrison Auditorium, Penn Museum
Speaker: Ralph Rosen, Vartan Gregorian Professor of the Humanities, professor of classical studies, Penn
College of Liberal and Professional Studies:
Ceremony: Sunday, May 14, 4 p.m., Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center
Speaker: Angela Duckworth, Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Penn
Fels Institute of Government:
Ceremony: Sunday, May 14, 1:30 p.m., St. Mary’s, Hamilton Village
Speaker: Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, IN and candidate for DNC Chairman

School of Dental Medicine
Ceremony: Monday, May 15, 1 p.m., Irvine Auditorium
Speaker: Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, immediate past president and CEO, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; incoming PIK Professor, Penn
Reception: Immediately following the ceremony, Robert Schattner Center

School of Design
Luncheon: Monday, May 15, noon, Meyerson Hall Upper & Lower Galleries and Dean’s Alley
Ceremony: Monday, May 15, 1:30 p.m., Meyerson Plaza
Speaker: Mindy Fullilove, professor of urban policy and health, Parsons School of Design
Reception: 3:30 p.m., following the ceremony, Meyerson Hall Upper & Lower Galleries and Dean’s Alley

Graduate School of Education
Ceremony: Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m., Franklin Field
Speaker: Robert Moses, founder and president, The Algebra Project

School of Engineering & Applied Science
Undergraduate Ceremony: Saturday, May 13, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Palestra
Speaker: Iqram Magdon-Ismail, ENG’06, president and co-founder, Venmo Inc.
Luncheon: 12:30-2 p.m., Engineering Complex
Master’s Ceremony: Friday, May 12, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Palestra
Speaker: Jonathan Brassington, GEN’97,WF’08, CEO and co-founder, LiquidHub Inc.
Reception: 1:30-3 p.m., Engineering Complex

PhD Ceremony: Thursday, May 11, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Irvine Auditorium
Speaker: Christian Gerdes, ENG’90, W’90, GEN’92, professor of mechanical engineering, Stanford University
Reception: Immediately following the ceremony, Hall of Flags, Houston Hall

Law School
Ceremony: Monday, May 15, 3 p.m., Academy of Music
Speaker: Mary Robinson, first woman president of Ireland, advocate for global human rights, recipient of the US Presidential Medal of Freedom
Reception: Sunday, May 14, 2-4:30 p.m., Law School

Perelman School of Medicine
Ceremony: Sunday, May 14, 9 a.m., Kimmel Center
Speaker: Robert Wachter, professor and chair, department of medicine, UCSF
Reception: Kimmel Center, immediately following the ceremony
Biomedical Graduate Studies:
Ceremony: Monday, May 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Rubenstein Auditorium, Smilow Center

School of Nursing
Ceremony: Monday, May 15, 7 p.m., Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center
Speaker: Patricia Flatley Brennan, director, National Library of Medicine
Reception: Monday, May 15, noon, Carol Elizabeth Ware Lobby in the School of Nursing

School of Social Policy & Practice
Ceremony: Monday, May 15, 6:30 p.m., Irvine Auditorium (tickets required)
Speaker: Tamron Hall, award-winning journalist
Reception: Houston Hall, immediately following the ceremony

School of Veterinary Medicine
Ceremony: Monday, May 15, 2:30 p.m., Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center
Speaker: Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, professor of medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA; co-author of Zoobiquity
Reception: Annenberg Plaza, immediately following the ceremony

Wharton School
Wharton San Francisco MBA for Executives Graduation Ceremony: Saturday, May 6, 3 p.m., Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, CA
Speaker: K. Robert “Bobby” Turner, W’84, chairman & CEO, Turner Impact Capital
Wharton Doctoral Division Graduation
Ceremony: Saturday, May 13, 11 a.m., Harrison Auditorium, Penn Museum
Wharton MBA for Executives Philadelphia Graduation Ceremony: Saturday, May 13, 3 p.m., Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center
Speaker: Adam Grant, Saul P. Steinberg Professor of Management, Wharton School and professor of psychology, Penn
Wharton Undergraduate Division Graduation
Ceremony: Sunday, May 14, 9 a.m., Palestra Speaker: Nathaniel “Nat” Snead Turner V, W’08, co-Founder & CEO, Flatiron Health
Wharton MBA Division
Ceremony: Sunday, May 14, 1 p.m., Palestra
Speaker:Yuri Milner, founder, DST Global

For additional information on Commencement 2017, visit the Commencement website or call the Commencement information line (215) 573-GRAD.

Events

Suit Drive to Restock the Quaker Career Wardrobe: Through May 5 

The Quaker Career Wardrobe is a new initiative that provides free suits to Penn students in need of interview attire. Penn Career Services is restocking the wardrobe in preparation for the fall recruiting season—and needs donations.

Drop off donations of clean, new or gently used suits and suit separates at locations around campus: College Office, Cohen Hall; Fagin Hall Lobby; Franklin Bldg. Lobby; Graduate Student Center Common Room; Houston Hall Info Desk; MBA Career Management, McNeil; Career Services, McNeil; Dental Med Lobby; GSE Student Lounge; Penn Law, Student Affairs Office; PennDesign, Dean’s Office; Vet Med, Office for Students, Rosenthal; PSOM, Office of Student Affairs; Wharton Dean’s Office, SH-DH.

Morris Arboretum: New Hidden Gems Tour on Saturdays

caption:Photograph by Paul W. Meyer

In the new Hidden Gems Tour, Morris Arboretum guides will showcase little known garden spots throughout the 92-acre Arboretum. Planned at 11 a.m. on Saturdays, May 13, May 27, June 10, and June 24, this tour is a combination of structures, sculptures, trees and vistas. Many are off the beaten path or concealed to most visitors. Others are near the main paths and considered “hidden in plain view.” Guides will reveal something different about these garden gems—an atypical angle in viewing them or a little-known story about them, such as the Mercury Loggia. The tour lasts approximately an hour and a half. Visitors will be walking over some uneven ground and cover quite a bit of territory, so dress appropriately! Free with admission.

Update: May AT PENN

Conference

2 Penn Health-Tech Inaugural Symposium; 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Rubenstein Auditorium, Smilow Center for Translational Research; register: healthtech.upenn.edu (PennHealthTech).

Talk

4 When Museums Tackle Tough Topics: Race, Science, and the Penn Museum; panel discussion moderated by Kate Quinn, Penn Museum, 6:30–8 p.m.; Penn Museum.

AT PENN Deadlines:

The May AT PENN calendar is now online. The deadline for the Summer AT PENN is May 16.

Crimes

Weekly Crime Reports

The University of Pennsylvania Police Department
Community Crime Report

About the Crime Report: Below are all Crimes Against Persons, Property and Crimes Against Society from the campus report for April 18-24, 2017. View prior weeks' reports. —Ed.

This summary is prepared by the Division of Public Safety and includes all criminal incidents reported and made known to the University Police Department between the dates of April 18-24, 2017. The University Police actively patrol from Market Street to Baltimore Avenue and from the Schuylkill River to 43rd Street in conjunction with the Philadelphia Police. In this effort to provide you with a thorough and accurate report on public safety concerns, we hope that your increased awareness will lessen the opportunity for crime. For any concerns or suggestions regarding this report, please call the Division of Public Safety at (215) 898-4482.

4/18/17 9:06 PM 309-11 S 40th St Secured bike taken
4/18/17 9:13 AM 3601 Walnut St Earbuds taken by unknown male
4/18/17 11:06 4114 Pine St Secured bike taken
4/18/17 3:01 PM 3711 Market St Parking arm broken by unknown male
4/18/17 3:37 PM 4210 Spruce St Unwanted contact received from ex-girlfriend
4/18/17 3:54 PM 3925 Walnut St Unsecured wallet taken
4/18/17 7:58 PM 110 S 36th St Merchandise taken without payment/Arrest
4/18/17 11:57 PM 3800 Walnut St Male wanted on warrant/Arrest
4/19/17 9:23 AM 3601 Walnut St Merchandise taken without payment/Arrest
4/19/17 2:30 PM 3945 Chestnut St Packages (2) taken
4/19/17 4:52 PM 423 Guardian Dr Helmet and bike taken from bike rack
4/19/17 7:14 PM 4239 Baltimore Ave Credit cards removed from purse
4/19/17 8:26 PM 4014 Walnut St Laptop taken while unattended
4/19/17 9:18 PM 3421 Woodland Walk Jacket ordered from fake site
4/19/17 11:15 PM 4200 Osage Ave GPS taken by unknown male
4/20/17 11:30 AM 3409 Walnut St Merchandise taken without payment/Arrest
4/21/17 1:09 AM 3160 Chestnut St Male cited for underage drinking
4/21/17 11:30 AM 3737 Chestnut St iPhone taken by unknown person
4/21/17 4:52 PM 3620 Locust Walk Male in building without authorization/Arrest
4/21/17 8:32 PM 4043 Walnut St Male struck in face
4/22/17 3:37 AM 3800 Locust Walk Citations issued for public urination
4/22/17 3:37 AM 3800 Locust Walk Male cited for public urination
4/22/17 3:37 AM 3800 Locust Walk Male cited for open beer container
4/22/17 1:08 PM 4109 Walnut St Complainant threatened by female
4/22/17 9:12 PM 231 S 34th St Bike taken from bike rack/Arrest
4/23/17 3:22 AM 4001 Walnut St Complainant choked by known male
4/23/17 11:32 AM 3409 Walnut St Merchandise taken without payment/Arrest
4/23/17 3:43 PM 4200 Spruce St Vehicle taken from highway

18th District Report

Below are the Crimes Against Persons from the 18th District: 16 incidents with 6 arrests (10 assaults, 3 aggravated assaults and 3 robberies) were reported between April 18-24, 2017 by the 18th District covering the Schuylkill River to 49th Street & Market Street to Woodland Avenue.

4/10/17 6:26 PM 100 S 40th St Assault
4/10/17 7:58 PM 4006 Spruce St Assault
4/10/17 11:37 PM 4300 Market St Assault
4/11/17 12:09 AM 3401 Civic Center Blvd Assault
4/11/17 12:15 AM 3400 Spruce St Assault
4/11/17 1:32 AM 3400 Baltimore Ave Aggravated assault/Arrest
4/11/17 2:30 AM 46th St and Baltimore Ave Aggravated assault/Arrest
4/11/17 3:44 AM 4000 Woodland Ave Assault
4/11/17 11:21 PM 34th and Market St Robbery/Arrest
4/12/17 12:04 AM Farragut and Market St Aggravated assault
4/12/17 2:34 PM 4006 Spruce St Aggravated assault
4/13/17 9:26 AM 4200 Spruce St Robbery
4/13/17 10:59 AM 3600 Ludlow St Robbery/Arrest
4/13/17 12:14 PM 4830 Cedar Ave Assault
4/16/17 4:08 AM 4100 Pine St Assault/Arrest
4/16/17 7:18 AM 4100 Pine St Assault/Arrest

Bulletins

One Step Ahead: Traveling Internationally?

Another tip in a series provided by the 
Offices of Information Systems & Computing 
and Audit, Compliance & Privacy.

 

When traveling internationally, help minimize your risks by taking these important and useful steps.

Safeguard your personal and  physical security

Enroll in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program): https://step.state.gov/

By registering your trip with the nearest US Embassy abroad, you can learn about safety conditions in your country of travel, and be contacted by the Embassy in case of an emergency.

Review current alerts and warnings from the State Department for your country of travel.

Register your trip with Penn Global’s Global Activities Registry, a central resource for Penn affiliates traveling abroad.

• Safeguard your electronic  on devices

Keep your personal and Penn work-related information safe: consider bringing a “sanitized” or re-imaged device that doesn’t contain any sensitive information whenever traveling abroad, particularly to regions where the practice of hacking or installing spyware on smartphones, tablets, and other computing devices is widespread. Even if spyware is installed on your “sanitized” device while abroad, you can restore it to your normal working copy when you return home. Consult with your Local Support Provider for assistance.

In the US, you should also be aware that your person and/or belongings may be searched at border crossings. While chances are low, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents could ask you to unlock your devices to analyze them. If you refuse, CBP may seize your devices to search and extract information from them, and may not return them for weeks or longer. Bringing “sanitized” devices for travel abroad could help you at the US border when you return.

Consult the following links for more in-depth information about securing your personal safety and devices for international travel:

ISC Information Security Best Practices for Data Security on Foreign Travel

FBI Safety and Security for the Business Professional Traveling Abroad

For additional tips, see the One Step Ahead link on the Information Security website.

Winning Images of Urbanization and Migration

Swayambhunath Monkey by Ashley Napier

The Penn Institute for Urban Research, in collaboration with Perry World House  announces the winner of its photo contest on the theme of urbanization and migration.

This year’s winner is Ashley Napier for her photo Swayambhunath Monkey (at left), an image taken in Kathmandu, Nepal, that alludes to the precarious balance between urbanization and preservation of place.  

The runners-up in this year’s competition are Madeleine Goldberg for Dharavi, which depicts the stark contrast between Mumbai’s slums and its soaring skyscrapers, and Jibreel K. Riley for Ghost Corridors, a haunting image of urban flight in Buffalo, New York.

Three additional submissions received honorable mentions: Mr. H by Francisco Garcia; Light at the End of the Tunnel by Hari Krishnan; and Gated Center City by Jared Kofsky.

The winner and runners up were announced at the Global Shifts: Urbanization, Migration, and Demography symposium, held last month at the Perry World House (Almanac April 25, 2017). The contest was judged by the symposium’s panel of experts, including PWH Visiting Fellows, who looked for compelling images that emphasize the relationships between urbanization, migration and marginalization.

Summer Camps at Penn

See the supplement in the January 31 issue which included numerous camps and programs for summer 2017. Also see February 14 and March 14 for additional opportunities for this summer, from athletics to academics and various enrichment programs for children and young adults.

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